A Better Way
It is so interesting how our world typically is driven by goals and projections that we strive to achieve to keep things orderly and yet bring change. And then one day a virus shows up and turns our projections to fears and disorder. It seems that we are either boasting about our achievements or paralyzed by our fears. There is a better way. PMC Consider: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that.’ But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:13-17)
This thought was written by Paul M. Curtas, General Director of FCAP.
What we are learning through the present pandemic is that people are quickly moved by fear, and the results can be far more devastating than what they feared. Fear is something we all face, but we must ask, “Have these fears become a driving and motivating force in our life?” If so we need to humbly turn to God and acknowledge that He gives us (through the Holy Spirit) a spirit of love, power, and a sound mind to overcome our spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 8:15). PMC Consider: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27).
Statistics in general can be impersonal…they represent figures and sum totals. Just looking at the growing statistics of the coronavirus and the rippling effects are overwhelming; people feel vulnerable and concerned that they could become part of them. All of this reinforces their fear. Additionally, the current public mood is changing us personally. Yes, we need to use hygiene and precautions with one another, but are we looking at people as transmitters, and treating them coldly, as potential threats. As Christians we need to realize that God asks us to be transmitters of something in a different way. We have opportunity to spread comfort and show concern in these times. But in order to become this kind of God-infused transmitter, we must embrace God and possess His comfort so we can comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:4). Then we must be willing to show that by being kind, considerate and concerned for others around us.
As Christians, God’s presence is said to reside in us (Ephesians 1:13-14; John 14:17). This means our presence at work represents God’s solutions for those who work around us. Not that we are the answer to people’s problems. But rather, we embody and portray God’s saving grace from the power of enslavement to sin, as we demonstrate His presence working in us. As we humble ourselves to Him, His work and power in us provides us the ability to demonstrate to those around us God’s patience and kindness, instead of our frustration and disdain. Our presence in the workplace should give a reflection of the God who created and redeemed us. (PMC) Consider: “But you are… a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).